ALGIERS, Algeria

Türkiye and Algeria will establish a joint oil and natural gas exploration company to operate in countries around the region, especially in Algeria, Fatih Donmez, Turkish minister of energy and natural resources, said Thursday.

Both countries reached a consensus on the establishment of a joint company between Sonatrach, the national oil and gas company of Algeria, and Turkish Petroleum, Donmez told Anadolu Agency.

Donmez, who attended the 2nd Algerian Investment Conference as the guest of honor, discussed new bilateral steps in the fields of energy and mining with his Algerian counterpart, Minister of Energy and Mining Mohamed Arkab.

They both agreed to encourage and support the joint work and existing joint ventures between the two countries and the establishment of the new company.

Last year, Algeria and Türkiye embarked on a joint project in the petrochemical field, in which a petrochemical factory was founded in the southern Turkish city of Adana.

The project was initiated in October 2021 with the partnership of Ronesans Holding from Türkiye and Sonatrach.

Around 90% of Algeria's exports to Türkiye consist of energy materials, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), crude oil and natural gas.

Countries hold great trade opportunities

The trade volume between Türkiye and Algeria, which was around $4 billion last year, will expand to $5 billion by the end of the year.

Based on a presidential decree issued in May during Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's visit to Türkiye, they target a further expansion to $10 billion as soon as possible, Donmez said.

The minister also met with Tebboune to discuss increasing trade ties. Approximately 1,500 Turkish companies operate in Algeria, and Donmez said that there is potential for growth.

"Joint works are being carried out not only in economic areas, but also in cultural and political areas, and especially in the defense industry. We will continue our work uninterruptedly in line with this vision put forward by both leaders (Erdogan and Tebboune)," Donmez added.

*Writing by Zeynep Beyza Kilic